webaee e fee rey 1 spotlight PAM JOHNSON TURNS BARE STAGE INTO MAGIC IN THESE health-crazed days of fish oils and oat bran, Pam Johnson still finds the dunkin’ doughnut a more productive food. “People are the biggest prob- lem in this job,” says Johnson, a Deep Cove set designer. “They include actors who are allergic to wool or don’t think they look good in a particular costume. As a designer you have to keep everybody happy. It’s amazing what a dozen doughnuts will do.” EVELYN JACOB feature writer Juggling the needs of actors and directors is one of Johnsons big- gest challenges next to dreaming up how to transform a bare stage into 20s Paris or 19th century In- dia. Johnson, 34, has been set designing for the past decade, ever since a friend asked her to do some work for the Burnaby Sum- mer Theatre. At the time, she was studying acting at Langara Col- lege’s Studio 58. “They couldn’t afford to hire a designer so they asked me if ! was interested. I’m not one to say no,” says Johnson. People found out that she could «do sets for cheap” and “it snowballed from there.” _ Johnson's better known sets have included John Gray’s Billy Bishop Goes to War, Health the Musical, and Sam Shepard’s Lie of the Mind. With no formal training in design, Johnson picked up tips on painting and prop construction from school. Along the way she taught herself drafting, drawing and how to build scale models. Learning to draw was her biggest struggle. EARLY MEAL BETTER DEAL! House Salad and your choice of Teriyaki or Sirloin Steak OR... Seafood Sizzle of Praums & Scallops. Served with ucgetables, steamed potatoes and sourdough bread. Mud Pie or Nanaimo Bars for dessert.Coffee or Tea. ONLY *13-% 5:00 - 6:30 MON.- THURS. 5:00 - 6:00 FRI.-SUN. ‘TIL MAY 31/89 QS" S NEWS photo Cindy Goodman “| wasn’t very good at it (draw- ing), so | took a night course at Emily Carr. 1 was still drawing stick men and was getting totally treak- ed out because | was surrounded with these “‘artsy-fartsy’’ people who could draw much better than tcould.” Upon graduation it was her in- structor who “freaked out’ when Johnson gave a monologue instead of handing in a self-portrait as her @ Not valid with other offers, e Not valid Mother's Day. JZ. S7 We serve you the sea. COAL HARBOUR 566 Cardero 669-8851 HORSESHOE BAY 6995 Nelson 921-8188 273-7014 RICHMOND NEW WESTMINSTER 8331 River Rd. 900 Quayside 525-3474 23 - Wednesday, May 3, 1989 ~ North Shore News PAM JOHNSON, a self-taught Beep Cove set designer, is making her mark in the theatre world with her innovative work. graduating project. Despite her early academic tribulations, Johnson slowly but surely found her niche in set design. Over the years her sets have found their way on to stages at the White Rock Summer Theatre, the Shaw Festival on Niagara on the Lake, Victoria’s Belfry Theatre and the Grand Theatre in London. Her current project for the New Play Centre, the Mona Lisa Toodle-o0, is about the art world of Paris 1911. Capturing the essence of 1911 Paris means library research, listening to period music and con- sulting costume books. Most im- portantly, johnson must consult directors and actors to achieve the desired effect. “It’s a collaborative effort. It's not the Pam Johnson hour. What you've got to do is service the play, the director, the actors, and then hopefully you can do it cre- atively and service your artistic needs.” The play may not be the Pam Johnson hour, but she’s had her share of moments. For all her col- laboration, she has been known to follow her own vision, even when it differs from the playwright's. “1 really went out ona limb with Lie of the Mind. Sam Shepard was 50 specific in the type of set he wanted, he even tells you what color of wallpaper to use,” says Johnson, who got rid of the walls and the wallpaper. ‘‘! totally disagreed with it. My version worked well. { was really proud of it.” : NEWS photo Cinly Goodman men THE DRESSER, performed by the North Vancouver Community Players, won six awards at the Festival of Plays recently. Dresser sweeps play festival THE DRESSER, performed by the North Vancouver Community Players, swept the April 17-22 Festiva] of Plays held at Pres- entation House. The local play director. The, Dresser will appear as 2 mai jai finals festival in Kelowna, May 29 to June 3, and will com- pete with other provincial groups See Thespians Page 27 A stunning panorama of the Vancouver area. Superb service... warm and relaxed. Innovative cuisine featuring the finest of regional foods. DINNER FROM 5 O’CLOCK LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH HOD ITFONIC BRBANAZAAN AB Z2AANSY 1 NAS ON e BURNABY «¢ MOUNTAIN 100 Centennial Way, Burnaby Reservations 299-1155.